KTRS (550 AM) general manager Tim Dorsey could not be reached for comment but Claiborne, who said he was told of the decision Thursday, was not bitter.

"I had a great run,'' he said after being there for four years of his 29 years in the market. "It's a business, and when I got there they had all three sports properties (Cards, Blues, Rams) and now they won't have any. I have no regrets, I understand the business.''

The Cards will return to KMOX (1120 AM) and John Sheehan, who oversees the station, said earlier in the week that KMOX might add a sports staffer as the matter will be addressed in budget meetings set to take place soon. He said a new person probably wouldn't start until next year, but the sudden availability of Claiborne should speed up that timetable.

Claiborne is a top-notch talk-show host, is versatile (he has been assisting on Cards broadcasts) and extremely knowledgeable about baseball and hockey - which will be KMOX cornerstones as it also has the Blues. KMOX is stepping up by re-gaining the Cards, and bringing Claiborne aboard would show it wants to return to its status as the self-anointed "Sports Voice of America.''

This is a key time for KMOX, which tumbled out of No. 1 in the ratings after losing the Cards. Allowing Claiborne to go elsewhere would send the wrong message about its commitment.